Medical service system on articulating arm with electromagnetic brakes

Abstract

A modular ceiling-mounted medical services system including a vertical column supported by an articulating arm assembly. Rotational joints connect the column to the lower arm, the lower arm to the upper arm, and the upper arm to the ceiling mount. Rotational movement at each of the joints is controlled by an electrically-released electromagnetic brake, and all of the brakes may be controlled by a switch panel on the column. Thus, the entire assembly is held in place until the switch is activated. Slight hand pressure is sufficient to operate the switch while simultaneously pushing or pulling the column into the desired position. The service lines that supply the outlets in the column all pass through large central openings in the brakes. In this way, the brake mechanism is stronger and more reliable, and the profile and footprint of the entire assembly can be minimized.

1. A service system for use in a structure having a support surface, the system comprising:
 a mounting assembly comprising:
 a mounting member connectable to the support surface; 
 a first rotor mounted for rotation relative to the mounting member and having a central bore therethrough; 
 a first electromagnetic brake assembly adapted to control rotation of the first rotor, the first brake assembly comprising a first permanent magnet having a central bore therethrough and being magnetically engageable with the first rotor and a first coil having a central bore therethrough for selectively controlling the magnetic engagement between the first permanent magnet and the first rotor, wherein the first permanent magnet and the first coil are positioned coaxially with the first rotor so that the central bores are aligned, and so that when the first coil is not energized attraction of the first permanent magnet for the first rotor causes the first rotor to resist rotation and when the first coil is energized attraction of the first permanent magnet for the first rotor is neutralized releasing the first rotor to rotate freely; and 
 a first coupler supported on the first rotor for rotation therewith; 
 
 an arm assembly having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end engageable with the first coupler, the arm assembly further comprising:
 a second rotor mounted on the distal end of the arm assembly for rotation relative thereto, the second rotor having a central bore therethrough; 
 a second electromagnetic brake assembly adapted to control rotation of the second rotor, the second brake assembly comprising a second permanent magnet having a central bore therethrough and being magnetically engageable with the second rotor and a second coil having a central bore therethrough for selectively controlling the magnetic engagement between the brake member and the rotor, wherein the second permanent magnet and the second coil are positioned coaxially with the second rotor so that the central bores are aligned, and so that when the second coil is not energized attraction of the second permanent magnet for the second rotor causes the second rotor to resist rotation and when the second coil is energized attraction of the second permanent magnet for the second rotor is neutralized releasing the second rotor to rotate freely; and 
 a second coupler supported on the second rotor for rotation therewith; 
 
 a service unit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end engageable with the second coupler for rotation therewith, and including at least one service outlet supported thereon; 
 at least one conduit for supplying a service to the at least one service outlet on the service unit, the conduit extending from beyond the support surface through the central bores of the first and second rotor assemblies, the first and second permanent magnets, and the first and second coils, and into the service unit to connect to the outlet; and 
 a control assembly for operating the brake assemblies, the control assembly comprising:
 a circuit for connecting the brake assemblies to a power source; and 
 a switch in the circuit for energizing the brake assemblies. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The services system of  claim 1  wherein the arm assembly comprises first and second arms, each arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the second arm being the proximal end of the arm assembly, the distal end of the first arm being the distal end of the arm assembly, the arm assembly further comprising:
 a third rotor mounted on the distal end of the second arm for rotation relative thereto, the third rotor having a central bore therethrough; 
 a third electromagnetic brake assembly adapted to control rotation of the third rotor, the third brake assembly comprising a third permanent magnet magnetically engageable with the second rotor and a third coil for selectively controlling the magnetic engagement between the third permanent magnet and the third rotor, each of the third coil and the third permanent brake member having a central bore therethrough, wherein the third permanent magnet and the third coil are positioned coaxially with the third rotor so that the central bores are aligned, and so that when the third coil is not energized attraction of the third permanent magnet for the third rotor causes the third rotor to resist rotation and when the third coil is energized attraction of the third permanent magnet for the third rotor is neutralized releasing the third rotor to rotate freely; and 
 a third coupler supported on the third rotor for rotation therewith. 
 
     
     
       3. The service system of  claim 2  wherein the control assembly comprises a switch having a plurality of switch positions including a stop position, in which all the rotors in the system are braked, and at least one release position, in which the second brake assembly is released. 
     
     
       4. The service system of  claim 3  wherein the at least one release position comprises first, second and third release positions, wherein the first release position releases the first and second brake assemblies, wherein the second release position releases the second and third brake assemblies, and wherein the third release position releases the first, second and third brake assemblies. 
     
     
       5. The service system of  claim 4  wherein all the rotors and all the permanent magnets are ring-shaped. 
     
     
       6. The service system of  claim 1  wherein the switch of the control assembly has a plurality of switch positions including a stop position, in which all the rotors in the system are braked, and at least one release position, in which the second brake assembly is released. 
     
     
       7. The service system of  claim 6  wherein the at least one release position comprises first and second release positions, wherein the first release position releases the second brake assembly, and wherein the second release position releases the first and second brake assemblies. 
     
     
       8. The service system of  claim 1  wherein the switch is positioned on the service unit. 
     
     
       9. The service system of  claim 8  further comprising a handle for gripping the service unit to reposition the system, and wherein the switch is incorporated in the handle. 
     
     
       10. The service system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second permanent magnets each comprises a plurality of arc-shaped sections that together form a ring, each section having a polarity. 
     
     
       11. The service system of  claim 10  wherein each section of the each of the permanent magnets is provided with a polarity indicator. 
     
     
       12. The service system of  claim 11  wherein each polarity indicator is visually perceptible. 
     
     
       13. The service unit of  claim 1  wherein the at least one service outlet comprises a plurality of service outlets and wherein the at least one conduit comprise a plurality of conduits. 
     
     
       14. The services system of  claim 1  wherein the service unit is a vertical column, and wherein the arm assembly is generally horizontal. 
     
     
       15. The services system of  claim 14  wherein the mounting member is configured to attached to a ceiling as the support structure.